Petting lion cubs and giraffes in South Africa

We flew on South African Air which uses Johannesburg for all connecting flights into other parts of Africa.  We had one forced overnight.  Frank Dimmock (PCUSA missionary) suggested that we consider spending an extra night and see some of Johannesburg.  This turned out to be a great suggestion, one because it helped us rest and get used to the time change before a fourteen hour day of travel to Embangweni and two because we had the opportunity to visit The Lion Park on Saturday, July 14.  The Lion Park is home to more than 85 lions including rare white lions, and many other carnivores such as cheetah, wild dog, hyenas and a variety of antelope indigenous to Africa.  Petting the lion cubs and giraffe was amazing!  Thankfully, the cubs were feeling lazy and sleepy when it was our turn.  Johannesburg has a lot to offer but this was the perfect outing for our group, an unforgettable experience.

Ellis with lion cub.  They told us to really pat them quite hard, so that we did not feel like an insect that they needed to swat away.

Ellie looking very happy and comfortable!

Kimmie loved the lion cubs

Cara with a cub

Trey  getting close to his new friend

After petting the lion cubs and giraffes we took a guided game drive around the park to see three different lion prides and one hyena camp plus leopards, zebras, giraffe, and several types of antelope.

A male lion

A rare white male lion

A view of Johannesburg in the distance

Feeding and petting the giraffe

The meerkat

She kept walking right towards us.....

Playing on a cool cloudy day

A white lion cub

Jack loved the meerkats

Riding in the game drive vehicle